Canadian Buffoon's Solo Disney Vacation - Update 07/08! pp99 - Here today gone tomorrow

[Heluvsme]

Whoa!! Hecka update!

I absolutely love the pausing to soak it all in, just appreciating all the details, and not taking any of it for granted. And sharing fun facts and it'd bits with families=priceless.

Oh, Columbia Harbour House, fish and chips, brownie for dessert.
--Dawn

 

[pkondz]

Cosmic Rays. Chicken tenders. In the room with Sunny Eclipse. (Sounds like Clue, the game).

Yes it does! Just add a candlestick.

Yes, I had to do Easter breakfast prep, but came back and edited my comment.

And I went back and edited my reply.

So now we know.....bunnies can't jump!

If Bunny Boy or Lady H see that, they're going to be devastated.

This post happened when I spilled some of my coffee on the keyboard of my laptop, and I flipped it over really quick to keep the liquid out. No quoting today for me.
Edit to add that the liquid doesn't seem to have gotten in. I will give it a few hours sitting upside down, just to make sure it's all dry.

Oh, boy. Hopefully it'll be okay.
On the other hand, I'm quite flattered that you chose to post that
while being perched upside down to type.

Doh! All Canadians SING Hallelujah. I am sure a certain number of us can also SIGN Hallelujah, but somehow the effect would not be as powerful.

There's nothing like an entire stadium filled with Canadians signing away.
So quiet you could hear a typo drop.

I guess you will go to Be Our Guest since it wasn't there the last time you visited and you want to see it in person. I will also guess that you had the Croque Monsieur and perhaps the Grey Stuff for dessert.

Ah. You're right, it wasn't there last time.
But were you right, right?
We'll see.

Lengthier reply coming when I get a chance. Sheesh, you sure write a lot.

Ladies and gentlemen, the next update.
Courtesy of Laura.


After I ate, I rode rides, saw stuff, went to bed.
Coming up! Day three!!!


Okay, okay.
Originally, when I started the chapter, I thought
"Okay, I want to write this up until I go for lunch.
That can be the bonus question."

But as it got longer and longer, I started to think
"Seesh! I should end it right after the third ride!"

But then it's a lot (yes... I know... a LOT) of verbiage
with very little content.

So... on it went.
I hope the rest of the updates won't be so... verbose.

I actually think I may lose readers because it was so long.
I think a lot of readers want a TR to be like a Sunday comic.

Lots of pictures. A few laughs. Done.
Doesn't take a day and a half to read it.
Something you might read over breakfast coffee.

Oh, well. I blew that one.
And the same goes for this response, I guess.

 

[pkondz]

Whoa!! Hecka update!

I know, I know! Sorry about the length.
I'll try and keep 'em shorter in the future.

I absolutely love the pausing to soak it all in, just appreciating all the details, and not taking any of it for granted. And sharing fun facts and it'd bits with families=priceless.

It's a rare thing when I can just pause for a bit.
I must admit that I didn't take too much time to pause that morning.
The pace will slow down considerably from this point on, though.

The imperative that morning was to do the headliners before the crowds
showed up.

Oh, Columbia Harbour House, fish and chips, brownie for dessert.

Gotcha!

 

[bankr63]

No, not a trick question.
It really was three separate rides.
But I like the way you're thinking!

I too could ride RnRC multiple times... but did I?????

And that reminds me of a story from our trip.

Our first park of the trip this time was DHS. CJ had never been, but I have been once with just A+. It's not her favorite park so doesn't seem to make the agenda when the whole family tours. But CJ and I both love our coasters and there are a couple of other worthy rides at the park. RnR is generally easier to get on, so we did our FP+ for ToT, TSMM and Star Tours (of all things!). I don't really like the two level pass system here.

So we lined up for RnR showing about a 35 minute standby wait, which was actually closer to 30. Had a blast, so decided to ride again but use the single rider line to make it quicker; standby is showing 45 now and our ToT FP+ was coming up in about 15 min. So we truck through the Single Rider lane, straight into the pre-show, then out into a short line in the loading zone, maybe 6 in front of us. CJ hits the front of line first, the CM directs him to an empty lane 2. Then she directs a couple of parties of 2 from FP+ to other lanes, then turns to me and directs me to the empty spot in lane 2. I have no idea if she was just being nice to us, or really was that confused, but we only took about 10 minutes to get back on, and still got to ride together!

And that left us nicely warmed up for our ride on ToT - first time for both of us!

 

[bankr63]

Double post...

 

[bankr63]

The smiley is the DISboards equivalent of the monosyllabic response.

I am pretty sure that "whooo hooo" is two syllables...

The way I see it is, they went to all that trouble to recreate the Chinese theater,
and to have it right in your sight line as you enter the park
at the end of Hollywood Blvd...

Then they hide it.

I knew it was coming down, but didn't know what to expect. The one previous visit to DHS, the sorcerer's hat had been the major landmark - heck I've even got it hanging from my rear-view mirror!

When we got there a few weeks after you, all hat vestiges were gone and the hoardings were down. And I must say I was really impressed with the view. Looking down Hollywood Blvd from the entrance, the front of Grauman's is perfectly framed, and creates a very Magic Kingdom like effect of looking down Main Street to Cindy's Castle. I totally get the simile intended here. This is about the movies and theatres. Much more subtle than the hat, but an important view nonetheless.

 

[bankr63]

Woops! TRIPLE post. Clicking post reply and nothing happens. Finally get it to post and I guess something was happening...

 

[RockinDisney]

Wow, they take down the sorcerer hat at HS and it changes the look of all the parks

 

[RockinDisney]

You don't want to know how hard the above was with my iPad....and i couldn't tell the emoticons were being added so arrggghhh.....I like my iPad most the time....most the time...
Winnie the Pooh.....Really....
I'm jealous and glad you stopped and smelled the roses...
I was going to guess Harbor House with a tuna fish sandwich after you have a second dole whip because why would you have just one??
but I am changing to Crystal Palace after you have a hot dog from Casey's
The pics are beautiful.....I'm feeling the need for a Disney fix.

 

[Backstage_Gal]

Thanks! And it really was an awesome day... and it's not even lunch time yet!



That whole statement blows me away.
You work there... but haven't been to MK in years!

And... retiring... How many years is it now that you've worked there?
Something's telling me it's up there.
I know we've had this discussion before!

43 years! It's time. i'm tired of working with mostly 20 somethings and tired of the drive, which keeps getting worse. I was 20 when I started, stick a fork in me, I'm done!

 

[laura74]

i am still working on my response but it's Easter and you are very verbose...in a good way! Hopefully if work doesn't make me work too much tomorrow...


And then you will post another chapter, won't you? And i will be distracted from my own report by your shinier, more funny report and I won't update. So, it's your fault if I am behind.

 

[KatMark]

Wow...when you update, you really update, don't you?

I'm so far behind (some issues at work after our short vacation).

I'm glad that since you were the smart tourist and had those FP+'s that you were able to enjoy the Opening Show and take note of all going around you (after you got the Jolly Green Giant to move out of your way).

I never would have guessed Pooh; Peter Pan I can understand if you really want to ride it (we skip it unless it's the first ride we do on a day; we have yet to see the new queue). I'm glad you got on Mine Ride and missed that line.

Love Columbia Harbor House...we try to do it once a trip at least.

Awesome pictures on POTC and Haunted Mansion.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Enjoyed my last evening of the long weekend catching up on your TR and before Shanleigh asks me if I have told you, she says hi!!!! Great updates, love all the pics! We are frantically planning our trip right now and reading yours is keeping me in the groove!! Say hi to your lovely ladies for us please!

 

[Sandy Mouse]

Okay, okay.
Originally, when I started the chapter, I thought
"Okay, I want to write this up until I go for lunch.
That can be the bonus question."

But as it got longer and longer, I started to think
"Seesh! I should end it right after the third ride!"

But then it's a lot (yes... I know... a LOT) of verbiage
with very little content.

So... on it went.
I hope the rest of the updates won't be so... verbose.

In enjoyed the chapter and did not find it too long.

As for my 'putie, I was worried that the flavored creamer in my coffee would mess up the keys, but they seem to be okay.
When I spilled, I immediately flipped it over and must have hit a bunch of keys, because it made an extra post on here (just a "." though). I edited and did everything after that on my ipad.

 

[Sandy Mouse]

43 years! It's time. i'm tired of working with mostly 20 somethings and tired of the drive, which keeps getting worse. I was 20 when I started, stick a fork in me, I'm done!

I don't blame you - 43 years! What's your commute? If you can retire, do it. Then we'll see you in MK.

 

[dgthree]

And bonus, bonus points awarded as follows:

dgthree - 2 points for making me happy.

​

​

Makes me happy that I made you happy! The bonus points don't hurt, either. =)

That Dole Whip Float looks really good right about now, too. Maybe I'll get to have one next week.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Still working on catching up!

Still.
Would've loved to have seen her again.
She's freaking amazing.

If you haven't seen her. I highly recommend you take the time to try and find her.

I have to admit...I don't "get" DiVine. I mean, it's a lady dressed in leaves, right?

Nice! Almost completely gone!
You can actually see some of the Chinese Theater now.

Oh. Am I being insensitive?

Some of you like the hat? And are sad to see its departure?

Now I will admit this, and please don't flame me...

or at least not much.

Right there with you. Down with the hat! Oh, I guess it already is.

Sorry, but that's just the way it is. I'm not a huge 'shows' kinda guy.
Once is usually enough.

Agreed. Shows are there to distract other people from rides. Same with the parades.

I did however really want to go see Lights, Motors, Action!
since I'd never seen it before.
And it'd been a really long time since I'd seen Indiana Jones
and wouldn't mind checking it out.

If the shows have explosions, however...

I really don't know if she thought she was doing a 'tough guy' act
or if that was the way she talked.
Irrelevant really, because no one could understand a single word she slurred.

Another part of Disney I just don't "get"...what the heck is going on with the GMR.

Is it bad that when she was "killed" at the Indiana Jones scene I cheered?

I was going to meet Dawn and her daughter Caitlin!
aka dawnbu40 and PrincessCaitlin!

Awesome!

So I'd been "hearing" Dawn and Caitlin speak for a long time.

And they sounded nothing like I expected!
Their actual voices were so much better.

They didn't sound like Chip and Dale? Or Donald?

Our cousin walked up and caught me with my elbows on the table.
He got the entire restaurant to chant "Shame, shame, shame!"
Whoops! Won't make that mistake again!

I love 50's Prime Time. Glad you enjoyed it too.

 

[Sandy Mouse]

You walk around the corner, you glance up and.... not to sound clichéd but...
it's like the weight of the world is lifted off your shoulders.
Just because it's a cliché doesn't mean it's not true.
Everything just becomes.... lighter.

You look around, and everywhere you look...
People are standing up a little straighter.
They're smiling a little bit broader.
It's all.... good.

That's exactly how I feel! Good description.

Now I know... oh, I know there's been tons of debate over FP+.
Mostly negative.

I loved it. It was simple to use and there was no running criss-crossing the park to get paper fastpasses and back to meet up with your party at the next ride.

And even though I knew what was coming... I thoroughly enjoyed it!

It is a great way to start your Disney day.

Man I get choked up just looking at them.
I'm making supper and chopping onions.
Plus I have dust in my eyes.

I don't get choked up until my first step onto Main Street.

I had a FP+
I had no need to rush.
I could actually help the infirm back onto their feet
and reunite small children with their desperate-for-Dumbo parents.

I could pause and take it all in.
And my God... it's beautiful.

Here is where I really appreciate fastpass+. I don't have to run for a fast pass to BTMRR and back to Space Mtn to meet my family - this was always really hard for me because I MUST have ONE leisurely walk down Main Street. I have to have that fix. It's been that way for me since the 70s.

I was so happy to just stop... for the first time ever... and just.... be.

Let's take a little sashay down Main St. and take another picture, shall we?
We shall.

YESSS!

My original plan was to turn right here and ride Space Mountain first thing,
then head over to my first FP+ of the morning.
At least that was the original plan.

Not long before I came down here, I did.... something... to my neck.

People always say how rough it is, but I've never really had a problem with it. I hope your neck is doing okay.

Yeah... Between my neck, my back and those reports.
I think I'm just going to have to face up to a very unpleasant reality...
and.... skip it.

NOOOOOOOOOOO!

Still, plenty of time. After all, there's no line on this side of the fence.
How about I take a picture?

And before you ask...
No. I didn't take any more pictures of the queue or of the ride.
I put the camera away and just enjoyed the moment.
Sometimes you have to ignore the hungry masses and feed yourself.
Sorry folks.

I really thought I could read your TR and if not get my Disney fix, at least live vicariously through you. Nope. Not happening. I just want to go to Disney , now more than ever.

Will it supplant BTMRR as one of my favourite MK rides?

No.
But it is fun.

It's a fun little ride and I will always want to ride it on Disney trips, but it will never pass BTMRR. During our trip 2 years ago, granddaughter #1 and I were getting off BTMRR for the second time that day, and she complained that I had laughed throughout the entire ride. Of course I laughed! I was having fun!

Now I actually had a FP+ for this ride later in the day.
But I was hoping.... Yes! The standby wait time is fifteen minutes!

While I had a FP+ for later, I really did want to check out the new queue.
I mean, who wouldn't want to see what Disney considered more important than a bathroom???
And I was not disappointed.

The new queue is... marvelous!
Disney really did an outstanding job with this one.

Hadn't heard much about the new queue on this ride, but I will have to check it out next trip.

 

[pkondz]

And that reminds me of a story from our trip.

Oh, goody!
Hang on, let me grab a drink and some snacks....


Okay, shoot.

But CJ and I both love our coasters and there are a couple of other worthy rides at the park.

I get that.
But I find HS slightly better (ride wise) than AK.
You can compare EE to RNRC.
But after that... well TOT is cool, unless you're not a big "drop" fan.
and Star Tours is interesting.
And Dinosaur and Safari are pretty good in AK.
But RNRC is the reason why I won't skip DHS.
And EE is the reason I won't skip EE.

I don't really like the two level pass system here.

Really? Because everyone else does.

What?

Oh. My bad.
Typo there.
Change "everyone" to "no one".

I have no idea if she was just being nice to us, or really was that confused, but we only took about 10 minutes to get back on, and still got to ride together!

You know what they say, don't look a pixie dust spreading horse in the mouse.

Or something like that.

That is pretty good though, for not having a FP+ for it.

And that left us nicely warmed up for our ride on ToT - first time for both of us!

And? What did you think of it?

I am pretty sure that "whooo hooo" is two syllables...

Ladies and gentlemen... Behold the definition of "there's always one."

The one previous visit to DHS, the sorcerer's hat had been the major landmark - heck I've even got it hanging from my rear-view mirror!

So now you have to take the next several months to dismantle that one too.

all hat vestiges were gone and the hoardings were down.

Nice!

Looking down Hollywood Blvd from the entrance, the front of Grauman's is perfectly framed, and creates a very Magic Kingdom like effect of looking down Main Street to Cindy's Castle. I totally get the simile intended here. This is about the movies and theatres. Much more subtle than the hat, but an important view nonetheless.

See? Toldja.

Woops! TRIPLE post. Clicking post reply and nothing happens. Finally get it to post and I guess something was happening...

Well, you could've regaled us with another story ya know.

Wow, they take down the sorcerer hat at HS and it changes the look of all the parks

You don't want to know how hard the above was with my iPad....and i couldn't tell the emoticons were being added so arrggghhh.....I like my iPad most the time....most the time...

Oh, I hear you.
I'll grab my iPod to see who's posted... then I'll try to comment...
then I'll give up and move to a computer.

Winnie the Pooh.....Really....

Really!

I'm jealous and glad you stopped and smelled the roses...

They smelled like Dole whip.... it was awesome.

I was going to guess Harbor House with a tuna fish sandwich after you have a second dole whip because why would you have just one??

Why indeed?

but I am changing to Crystal Palace after you have a hot dog from Casey's

Holy cow! Just how much do you think I eat???

Guess duly noted.

The pics are beautiful.....I'm feeling the need for a Disney fix.

Thanks! .... and I'm feeling the need too!

43 years! It's time. i'm tired of working with mostly 20 somethings and tired of the drive, which keeps getting worse. I was 20 when I started, stick a fork in me, I'm done!

I knew it! I knew it!!!
I was 99% sure it was 43 (or possibly 44, depending on when your anniversary was.)
But I didn't want to say, because of that 1% chance that it was 33.
"Hey!" She replied angrily. "What do you mean 43 years! That's insulting!"
"Oops." pkondz guiltily replies. "I meant 33. Really."
<backpedal><backpedal><backpedal>

But I really was almost positive.
43 years.

i am still working on my response but it's Easter and you are very verbose...in a good way! Hopefully if work doesn't make me work too much tomorrow...

Work... Making you work....
That's just not right.

And then you will post another chapter, won't you? And i will be distracted from my own report by your shinier, more funny report and I won't update. So, it's your fault if I am behind.

Nope. I'm burned out now... no chapter coming up for a bit.
Well, not until I start getting leaned on for more.

Wow...when you update, you really update, don't you?

Oh? Hadn't noticed.

I'm so far behind (some issues at work after our short vacation).

I know. Not to worry. I'll still be here.
I know you've been trying to catch up here and other TRs.

I'm glad that since you were the smart tourist and had those FP+'s that you were able to enjoy the Opening Show and take note of all going around you (after you got the Jolly Green Giant to move out of your way).

It really was a delightful (and I don't use that word very often) change of pace.
I think I'm liking this FP+ system.

I never would have guessed Pooh;

Who would??

Peter Pan I can understand if you really want to ride it (we skip it unless it's the first ride we do on a day; we have yet to see the new queue).

If the line had already been up to an hour or something, I would've skipped it too.
No queue is worth standing in line for that long.
IMHO.

I'm glad you got on Mine Ride and missed that line.

Yeah... There was no way I was going to risk getting eaten by a 'gator.

Love Columbia Harbor House...we try to do it once a trip at least.

So I take it that's your guess, then?

Awesome pictures on POTC and Haunted Mansion.

Thanks!

Enjoyed my last evening of the long weekend catching up on your TR

Hey! You're still around! Thought I'd lost you.

and before Shanleigh asks me if I have told you, she says hi!!!!

Hi Shan!!!

Great updates, love all the pics!

Thanks!

We are frantically planning our trip right now and reading yours is keeping me in the groove!!

Glad I can be of service.
When are you guys heading down?

Say hi to your lovely ladies for us please!

I will!
And we haven't forgotten trying to get together with you guys.
Just been a bit crazy with Elle's grad coming up.
But we will!

In enjoyed the chapter and did not find it too long.

Okay. <phew!>

As for my 'putie, I was worried that the flavored creamer in my coffee would mess up the keys, but they seem to be okay.

But now, when you need a flavour fix or a caffeine fix,
you can always lick your 'puter.
Win, win.

When I spilled, I immediately flipped it over and must have hit a bunch of keys, because it made an extra post on here (just a "." though). I edited and did everything after that on my ipad.

Should have left the "."
I would've wondered a long time just what you meant by that!

Makes me happy that I made you happy! The bonus points don't hurt, either. =)

You did! And no, I guess they don't.

That Dole Whip Float looks really good right about now, too. Maybe I'll get to have one next week.

Next week! Wow, that's coming up fast!
Have an extra one for me, okay?

 

[KatMark]

Yes, Columbia Harbor is my guess.